Iguazu Falls
We Start in Different Places, but in the End, We All Meet at the Waterfall….
If you are traveling between Brazil and Argentina, you should definitely stop off at Iguazu Falls. Both countries have airports that are close to the Falls, and you can easily book a private tour or a guide at the airports. Depending on how much time you have, you can visit one side or both. We stayed two nights so we visited both sides. Since we started in Rio, we landed on the Brazil side. Remember domestic flights are always cheaper. If you want to visit the other side, just take a taxi over. Or alternatively, if you speak the language and you crave an adventure, you can always take the bus.
We landed in Brazil’s Foz do Iguacu International Airport and hired a private driver/tour. He took us straight to the Falls and from there, he dropped us off at our hotel on the Argentina side. One of the best things about these tours/drivers is you don't have to wait at the entrance to the Falls or at the border between the two countries. The drivers take care of everything for you. You can just sit back and relax. The Brazil side of the Falls involves more walking/hiking. However, it does not take too long, only about 2-3 hours depending on how fast you walk and how many pictures you want to take.
The Argentina side, though, is an entirely different story. It will take you a minimum of 6 hours. The hotel that we were staying at, the Hotel Mercure, called a driver to take us directly to the park’s entrance on the Argentina side. And, then we simply told the driver when to pick us up again. No hassles, no worries, and very safe!
The Hotel:
Before booking our hotel, I did a lot of research into the best place to stay. I am so glad that I picked Hotel Mercure on the Argentina side. Not only is there more to do and see on that side, but the hotel is spectacular and their service and staff are amazing! The Mercure is tucked into the heart of the magical Iryapu Jungle.
The hotel itself is wonderful, tranquilly nestled in nature and hidden by trees older than the hotel itself. I have visited hundreds of hotels and this is one of the most magical settings that I have ever experienced. The grounds where we strolled were absolutely breathtaking. With each step that we took, I felt the stresses of my life melting away from me.
And, it is not just the location that makes the Mercure an outstanding vacation choice. The staff all speak fluent English. They work hard to make sure that you are having the best and most relaxing time. We stayed in a suite with a jungle view, while our friend was in a standard room. This allowed me to take pictures of both rooms and share them with you!
We had lunch at the hotel while we were waiting for our rooms to get ready. The food was tasty and the portions were generous. Since we had had a late lunch, we had snacks and a cheese board, with wine, of course, for dinner. We had breakfast at our hotel both mornings. The breakfast was simple, but had excellent variety, including: fruits, bread, muffins, and sweets, as well as some hot choices.
Sightseeing:
As mentioned above, you need more than 6 hours on the Argentina side. When you are there, you want to make sure that you see everything and also definitely take the boat ride. The boat ride has time slots, so sign up for it as soon as you can. There is a train that will take you to the Falls. This took us 6 hours. If you decide to walk/hike, and not take the train, it will definitely take more than 6 hours.
At first, we were not sure about the boat ride. We worried it would be a waste of time, but everyone from Mercure staff to visitors suggested that the boat ride was a can’t miss. Let me tell you, I am so glad that we did. It takes you so close to the Falls that you will get soaked with water. They give you storage bags so that you don’t have to worry about your camera, wallet, or shoes.
Restaurant:
El Quincho Del Tio Querido. This restaurant was recommended by our hotel. They made reservations for us; and, it was incredible. The live music and delicious food made it a perfect end to our visit to Iguazu Falls. One thing to note. Staff at this restaurant do NOT speak English, so ordering can be challenging. But, have fun with the experience of being in a foreign country. Maybe let them order for you or point to the pictures on the menu to order. Think about it as a culinary adventure!
